Rep. Bard and  Abington Police Officer and canine trainer Matthew Ruddell pose with Samson, an explosives detection dog.  Samsons taks have included sniffing for explosives at Sandy Run Middle School after a bomb threat and helping to prepare for former President Clinton's speaking engagement at Temple Beth Am. 

November 28, 2000

Abington Township to Get Bomb Sniffing Dog, Says Bard

HARRISBURG-Abington Township has been awarded $10,000 from the state to purchase a bomb detecting canine, Montgomery County lawmaker Rep. Ellen M. Bard (R-153) said today.

The dog will be added to the Abington Township Police Department’s Canine Corps and will service Abington School District, the community of Abington and surrounding jurisdictions.

Bard said Abington Schools have a strong partnership with law enforcement, and the Abington Township Police department wants to build on that partnership. The lawmaker noted that recent national events have underscored the importance of cooperation between schools and law enforcement, as well as the need for preparedness in the face of danger. The lawmaker noted that the tragedy at Columbine High School has proliferated the number of bomb threats at schools throughout the nation.

"Unfortunately, violence has been perpetrated through various means in public schools," Bard said. "Explosive detection canines are trained to search for and detect a full range of explosives. A bomb detecting dog is a significant addition to Abington Township's crime fighting efforts."